The figure of a nun was all that was present in these desolate catacombs, Her attire was black as night from what I could see…A rhythmic voice could be heard all around the expanse.
"..."
I stayed silent, ready for anything to come at me but the Nun just continued praying.
'Is that all there is? Or is there something else?'
I wondered if it couldn't be just that…There has to be more to this trial than just killing that thing.
The prayers sounded weird, I'm pretty sure it's a type of mental magic. Thankfully, the [Demonic Embrace] I have on right now is blocking it.
I stayed ready with the Ame-No-Sakahoko and prepared for the worst.
Suddenly, the singing stopped and the atmosphere changed.
I tensed up and pointed my Spear at the woman.
[Demon.]
A voice was heard, coming from all directions.
[The empire…of the goddess will not fall.]
She murmured, and then a Deathly aura exploded from her. I expanded my mana in the form of a shield to protect myself.
Then…I witnessed a sight straight out of a horror movie.
The body of the nun stayed still, but the neck turned a full 180 degrees. I could hear the crunching sounds.
"Damn…"
I hissed as I saw the face of the nun… It was as gray as it could get, the eye sockets were devoid of any eyeballs, only a black void, horrendous teeth, and a lower jaw nowhere to be seen.
Truly, that thing came out of a nightmare.
She fully turned around and whipped out nails a meter long.
[The empire…will not fall!] The voice was heard again, coming from all directions.
The figure of the monster disappeared. I jumped away. In a second, the place I was standing on was cut into a thousand pieces.
"Hmph!"
I unleashed my mana and pushed the nun away, her figure crashing into one of the graves.
"KIEEEEKKK!"
She shrieked and launched herself at me with incredible speed. I used the Ame-No-Sakahoko and obliterated her lower body.
[HEAVENLY SPEAR.(FIVE STAR)]
HEAVENLY THRUST!
The power of the Ame-No-Sakahoko, infused with my mana surged forth. The thrust destroyed her lower body and caused the Catacombs to shake…But this thing still rushed at me, crawling with all her might,
[The empire…?]
The voice showed confusion. I was expecting it to say 'The Empire will not fall' but I was wrong.'
The monster stopped as well, and all the killing intent it released vanished.
It gazed at me with those void-like eyes…And moved forward slowly.
[Please…]
It pleaded…but for what?
I kept a close eye on it as it got closer and closer and grabbed the Ame-No Sakahoko…
And to my shock, stabbed its own neck, committing suicide.
[You have cleared the 11th floor.]
Before I could process what had happened…I was transported to the 12th floor.
********
[Elijah PoV, on the Eleventh floor.]
A cry.
The nun wasn't praying…but was crying.
"...What happened here?"
I asked the 'monster.' I didn't know why…But I had a feeling I needed to do this.
The cries didn't stop, the wailing of the nun didn't stop…
I walked forward, my sword still sheathed.
I know…She wouldn't attack if I didn't display any form of threat. I was wondering what these catacombs were but this is just a place of sorrow.
As I was exploring the catacombs, before coming to this place I had found a diary, a diary covered in blood.
The contents of the diary were strange at first, but then I understood everything once I stumbled upon it.
This was not a graveyard, this was once a place of worship to the deity. An empire…that had fallen to the ground after having been attacked by vile cults.
[The empire will fall soon…I fear the emperor, the saintess, and the other high-ranking priests and knights have already fallen to corruption…or will fall soon. The Emperor lies stuck on his throne whilst the Saintess's health is deteriorating day by day, her pure energy is being transformed into something vile…I can feel it…I can feel the embrace of our deity disappearing. The plagues they have swarmed us with, the death they have dealt us…Will be our end.
We can not hold on…Not anymore, We will fall.
We have fallen.]
Those were the contents of the diary.
"Are you in pain?"
I asked as I stood beside her.
The silence was deafening, The cries had stopped, and the saintess looked at me.
[Yes.]
I stared at her, not bothered by her face.
"What happened?"
I dared ask.
[...]
However, I was met with no answer, I stared at her, and she looked at my sheathed sword. I understood what she meant.
I unsheathed the Sword Of Sundering flame and brought it to her neck.
[May I make a request…Oh bearer of celestial Power?]
"You may."
I allowed her too.
[Please make it so that our legacy does not end in Vain.]
She pleaded. I looked at the graves in front of us and answered.
"I will."
And I ended her misery, in a painless way.
[You have cleared the trial.]
[The tower says you act befitting of a hero.]
"What happened here?"
I asked the tower…It should know.
[The tower asks if you want to know.]
'If I want to know?'
The countless corpses I encountered here, skeletons of children and women.
Why wouldn't I want to know? I want to know in detail what happened.
"Yes."
I answered.
Show me what happened…
So I can fulfill her request.
[You bear a striking contrast to the other…befitting of your roles.]
I don't know what you're talking about.
[Of course you don't…not yet.]
…
…
…
[Here…This is what happened to this world.]
[In a time long past, there existed a magnificent empire that stood as a testament to human achievement and spiritual devotion. This empire was known far and wide for its sprawling cities, grand architecture, and a profound connection with their chosen deity. The people revered this deity, believing that its benevolence and guidance were responsible for their prosperity and unity.
The empire's religious practices were interwoven with every aspect of their society. Temples adorned with intricate carvings and exquisite artwork stood at the heart of their cities, serving as centers of worship and places of solace. Priests and priestesses held great influence, guiding the empire's decisions and providing counsel to rulers who sought the deity's favor.
For generations, the empire thrived under the watchful gaze of their deity. Bountiful harvests, artistic achievements, and cultural advancements flourished, solidifying their place as a beacon of civilization in a tumultuous world. But as with all empires, their zenith was to be followed by an unforeseen descent. As most stories go…
Dark clouds began to gather on the horizon. Reports of a mysterious illness started to surface, initially dismissed as mere rumors. However, the disease soon spread with relentless speed, turning bustling cities into silent graveyards and filling once-vibrant streets with despair. Panic gripped the population, as the plague's relentless grasp left no corner untouched. But they were unaware of the true danger of this deathly plague!
The empire's religious leaders, who had been a source of guidance and comfort for so long, found themselves powerless in the face of this new catastrophe. Prayers and rituals once believed to ensure protection and blessings, now seemed to fall on deaf ears. The deity, once so revered and relied upon, appeared unresponsive to their pleas for salvation. Even the Saintess could do nothing!
As death tolls rose and once-proud cities crumbled into ruins, the empire's unity shattered. Factions arose, blaming one another for the deity's silence and the empire's downfall. Desperation turned into anger, and the once-loyal subjects began to question the very foundations of their faith.
In the midst of this turmoil, a group of scholars, healers, and survivors emerged. They sought answers beyond traditional religious teachings, delving into ancient texts and forgotten knowledge in search of a way to combat the plague. Their efforts yielded some small victories, but the empire's glory had already faded into history's shadow
In the end, the once-mighty empire succumbed to the ravages of death and disease. Its grand cities were reduced to ruins, and its legacy was one of tragedy and loss. The memory of their deity's silence haunted the survivors, leaving behind a sense of abandonment and disillusionment that would echo through the generations. That is what most thought…
But its legacy still remains.
Some who still believe in their cause…have been fighting the curse of death. Wanting the legacy of the empire to not fade away in vain…So what will you do?]
It was as if it was narrating a story.
But now I know what happened. I understand the gist of it at least.
[What will you do?]
The tower asked me, and I simply said,
"What do you think?"
What will I do?
"I will make sure their legacy does not die in vain, and fulfill the request of the saintess.
[I wish you good luck.]
[You have entered the twelfth floor.]
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